Free Spring Lecture Series

Posted by on Thursday, February 21st, 2013

***UPDATE***

There has been a change to the schedule of presentations. This Wednesday, March 27th, at 7pm in the Welcome Center our very own Jim Stephens, Director of Education and Interpretation, will be giving a talk on South Jersey during the Civil War. It’s a favorite topic of his, so get ready for some good info!

There has been no change to the April 3rd and 10th presentations. Thank you!

Please join us at 7 pm in Historic Cold Spring Village’s Welcome Center on four consecutive Wednesday evenings in March & April for a wide-ranging variety of topics relating to the history and culture of our region. Copies of each author’s book will be available for purchase at their talk. There is no fee for admission but donations are appreciated.

Pre-order the books through our online store!

March 20: The Pine Barrens – Though the phrase “New Jersey Pine Barrens” often conjures images of desolate forests and the piercing red eyes of the Jersey Devil, there is much more to these one million plus acres of southern New Jersey. Cathy Antener discusses her book Discovering New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and examines the fascinating people, charming communities and remarkable culture of this famous area.

March 27: A New Twist on the American Dream – In 1845 a young, penniless William Skinner sailed in steerage class from the slums of London to the United States. Endowed with rare knowledge in the art of dyeing and an uncanny business sense, Skinner rose to prominence in the nation’s new silk industry. Sarah Kilborne, author of American Phoenix: The Remarkable Story of William Skinner, A Man Who Turned Disaster into Destiny, looks at the life of her ancestor and how he turned the destruction of his silk mill into success.

April 3: The US Coast Guard Training Center – Cape May is the home of the US Coast Guard’s only recruit training base, graduating more than 4,000 recruits every year. Historian Joan Berkey examines the origins and history of that vital facility as seen in her new book, Images of America: US Coast Guard Training Center at Cape May, coauthored with Dr. Joseph E. Salvatore.

April 10: A Mouthwatering Historical Tour of Timeless Treats – No trip to the Jersey Shore would be complete without indulging in the cuisine that helps make it famous, from tomato pie and pork roll to saltwater taffy. Historian Karen Schnitzspahn introduces the culinary background of the shore area as told in her book Jersey Shore Food History: Victorian Feasts to Boardwalk Treats.